Chinese Idiom: 长驱直入 (Chang Qu Zhi Ru)
English Translation: Drive Straight Ahead
pīn yīn: cháng qū zhí rù
Idiom Meaning: This idiom depicts an unstoppable advance or swift progress, often used to convey a successful and smooth campaign or action.
Historical Source: Han Dynasty – Cao Cao’s Command to Xu Huang (汉末曹操《劳徐晃令》).
Idiom Story
In the year 219 AD, during the late Han Dynasty, Cao Cao targeted Jingzhou as his strategic goal. At this time, his general Cao Ren was engaged in a battle with the Shu general Guan Yu, who had surrounded Xiangyang, while Cao Ren held firm in defending Fan City. In July, Cao Cao sent Yu Jin to reinforce Cao Ren. However, Guan Yu took advantage of the swollen Han River to flood Cao Cao’s forces and captured Yu Jin. Despite the setback, Cao Ren continued to defend Fan City and awaited reinforcements.
In this critical situation, Cao Cao personally took command at Mobei and sent General Xu Huang to lead the reinforcements to Fan City. To avoid Guan Yu’s forces, Xu Huang halted at Yanglingbei and planned his strategy. He sent men to contact Cao Ren and pretended to dig traps at Yancheng to cut off the Shu army’s retreat. The Shu forces, deceived, evacuated Yancheng. Xu Huang seized this opportunity to take control of Yancheng and set up a two-front attack against Guan Yu.
As Cao Cao sent additional troops, Xu Huang launched a vigorous assault. Despite the multiple layers of encirclement and obstacles set up by the Shu army, Xu Huang’s forces charged through with relentless determination. Guan Yu was forced to retreat, and soon after, was defeated by Wu forces. With the siege of Xiang and Fan cities lifted, Cao Cao was elated and sent a personal letter to Xu Huang, praising him for his extraordinary maneuvering and success.
The letter commended Xu Huang’s ability to “drive straight ahead into the enemy’s encirclement,” a feat unmatched by anyone in Cao Cao’s thirty years of military experience. This phrase, highlighting Xu Huang’s rapid and decisive advance into enemy territory, evolved into the idiom “长驱直入,” symbolizing an effective and unstoppable advance.
